title: Open repair of retracted latissimus dorsi tendon avulsion.
abstract: Latissimus dorsi avulsion injuries are rarely reported in the literature and are managed with a variety of strategies. Primary anatomical repair of tendon to bone may offer athletes the best chance for successful return to sports. In this article, we describe a surgical technique for safely repairing an acute or chronic, retracted, avulsed latissimus tendon back to its insertion on the medial aspect of the bicipital groove of the proximal humerus. Using 1 low anterior axillary incision and 1 posterior axillary incision for tendon retrieval when retraction is more than 5 cm, this technique allows for direct anatomical repair of a retracted tendon to bone using 3 points of bony fixation supplemented by soft-tissue repair. The technique also minimizes the risks for neurovascular compromise and cosmetic deformity, while decreasing the risk for postinjury strength deficits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University, Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. mikeellman@gmail.com
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ellman
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yanke
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Juhan
authors.forename: Nikhil N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bush-Joseph
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Romeo
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*